McGowan_2009abstr

Copyright © 2009 by John McGowan. Published by the Mars Society with permission.

CHEAP ACCESS TO SPACE: LESSONS FROM PAST BREAKTHROUGHS

John F. McGowan

Abstract

The space community faces many challenges today. The current economic crisis, large projected budget deficits, and the new administration raise questions about the future funding of space programs, both civil and military. Rapid advances in terrestrial technologies could undermine demand for space-based communications, observation, and navigation systems. The recent Iridium- Cosmos satellite collision illustrates the growing vulnerability of satellites to accidental or intentional destruction. The problems with the Space Shuttle and the Constellation program continue to raise questions about the future of manned spaceflight in the information age.